BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE: BDX) has raised its quarterly dividend to $1.06 per share. The move extends one of the longest payout growth streaks in American business to 55 consecutive fiscal years.
What happened
BD declared a quarterly dividend of $1.06 per common share on November 5, an increase of 1.0 percent from the previous quarter. The dividend is payable on December 31, 2026, to holders of record on December 10, 2026. The indicated annual dividend rate now stands at $4.24 per share.
The board also authorized the repurchase of up to 10 million additional shares of common stock. That authorization supplements the shares still available under the existing 2026 buyback program.
Key numbers for income investors
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| New quarterly dividend | $1.06 per share |
| Previous quarterly dividend | $1.05 per share |
| Indicated annual dividend | $4.24 per share |
| Payment date | December 31, 2026 |
| Record date | December 10, 2026 |
| New buyback authorization | 10 million shares |
The indicated rate implies a dividend yield near 2.1 percent at recent prices. A $100,000 position generates roughly $2,100 in annual dividend income at that rate.
Why 55 consecutive years matters
Membership in the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Index requires at least 25 consecutive years of dividend increases. BD has now raised its payout for 55 straight fiscal years, a record few healthcare or industrial companies can match. The streak stretches back more than five decades, a span that includes multiple recessions, the 2008 financial crisis, and the 2020 pandemic.
“This is the 55th consecutive fiscal year in which we have raised our dividend,” said Tom Polen, chairman, CEO and president of BD. He said the dividend increase and the new repurchase authorization reflect confidence in the long-term outlook and a commitment to returning capital to shareholders.
How the increase compares with recent payout hikes
| Company | Ticker | New quarterly dividend | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| BD | BDX | $1.06 | 1.0% |
| Rockwell Automation | ROK | $1.45 | 5.1% |
| AptarGroup | ATR | $0.50 | 4.2% |
| CDW | CDW | $0.68 | 8.0% |
| Voya Financial | VOYA | $0.57 | 21.3% |
BD’s increase is the smallest of the group in percentage terms. The company prioritizes streak longevity over payout acceleration, a trade-off many income investors accept.
Risks to watch
- Dividend growth of 1.0 percent trails recent inflation, so the payout’s purchasing power grows slowly.
- BD is scheduled to report fiscal fourth-quarter results on November 5, and those numbers could move the share price and the yield for new buyers.
- Healthcare budgets and hospital capital spending cycles can affect medical technology revenue from year to year.
- The 10 million share buyback authorization supports per-share growth, but execution depends on cash flow and competing capital needs.
Bottom line
A 1.0 percent increase is modest, but a 55-year raise streak reflects a discipline most companies never build. Income investors who already hold BDX will receive a slightly larger check on December 31. New buyers should weigh the 2.1 percent yield against their income needs and today’s fiscal fourth-quarter earnings report before adding shares.
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